The Flower Challenge #108 - Thanks!

In the USA we celebrate Thanksgiving in November so it is wonderful to have Thanks as our prompt for The Flower Challenge #108!

I'll share my closeup first so you can see the Altenew Ways to say Thank You embossing in the background - it also provided my sentiment!

I adore this sweet HoneyBee Coneflower - one of many in their Lovely Layers

collection of stand-alone die sets to love!

It certainly is lovely enough to deserve a frame - this one from 

Waffle Flower's Nesting Rectangle Frames.

In case you're wondering, my pieces were cut from colored cardstocks

and their color was pumped-up a bit with ink and a sponge dauber.

I am happy to join you in seeing all the wonderful cards of Thanks

from my teammates HERE.

Thanks for stopping by - and in advance for playing along!

=] Michele

The Paper Players #762

Hello, my friends!  Gosh it seems like an age since I've written a post OR made a card!  But we are home and that mountain of laundry is nearly done!  

LeAnne's theme at The Paper Players #762 is a good one to get me back into my studio this morning...

I wonder if she knew I'd jump at the chance to make that 

bottom right corner come to life?  

You'll have to take my word that this card will indeed contain a message

of thanks into the inside! lol

• My 'plate' was created by cutting a circle and then debossing a rim using a smaller circle die and my rubber mat.  Then set the table on woodgrain DSP.
• The 'napkin' is a simple piece of grey that I gave the look of linen using my trusty SU Subtle Texture folder.  
• The sticks, branches, and leaves are from HoneyBee's Winter Greenery with a few 'berries' from my enamel dot stash.
• To finish it off I tied a little SU linen thread [thanks, LeAnne] and added a sentiment from PTI's Thankful for Fall set.

Thanks, LeAnne, for getting me 'back on the horse' so quickly and painlessly!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #710

Happy Halloween!  I'm on the road but there was NO WAY I could miss out on playing cards with one of my favorite humans and her very fun Freshly Made Sketches #710!  

Yes, this is exactly what Linda sent me last week LOL!

 Inside secret: this is exactly how most of us

create our Sketches with a simple drawing that Jen T. magically

turns into those FMS Sketches that you see each week - btw you'll find

that sketch on our team blog!

Within seconds, I knew just who wanted to come out to play -

a few more of those MFT characters:

Those marshmallows need just a few more seconds, IMHO!

Sadly, MFT is no longer available - nor is the windy debossing or snow hills.

But I just KNOW you have equally wonderful supplies!

By the time you see this, I'll be on my way to Linda's house FOR REALS!

On a sad note, this is Linda's final sketch with our team - we love you, my friend, and I promise to keep coming by your blog as long as you post cards and photos of your darling grandkids - pinky swear!

Be sure you stop by FMS for lots of treats - no tricks!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #709

Hello, friends!  Another Jen, another fun sketch for you at Freshly Made Sketches #709!

I spy with my little eye a square card!  I'll admit I don't make them often, as there

is something about that smaller creative space that feels limiting!  But I found a way around that and am happy as a clam penguin about the results...

A fun 'waves' embossing folder sent from a friend was turned into

drifting snow - isn't it great?

Yes.  I did use a bit of felt and was really surprised how easily those Playful Penguins dies from Spellbinders cut through it!  I turned Jen's banner into a snuggly

scarf with a few snips of my scissors and added a 'tag' with my sentiment - an oldie

from Ellen Hutson.  

Wasn't he so nice to lend a 'helping flipper' while I tied my bow? lol

Oh, the possibilities are endless if you just open up your imagination!

Speaking of - check out what the rest of the FMS team made HERE.

=] Michele

The Paper Players #760

Jaydee is looking for CAS designs this week at The Paper Players - when one is busy planning/packing for an 8-day road trip, CAS is the only way to go!

These MFT Harvest Mouse images are my go-to for CAS cards in the Fall...

Inside: to warm your heart as temperatures Fall!

PTI Keep it simple Happy Mail outside sentiment.

Thanks, Jaydee!

=] Michele

Sunday, Funday!

My Sunday fun included two cards for challenges - first up: Color Hues #120:

Here's a little gal that hasn't gotten the love she deserves in a long while...

MFT: Thankful Friend - simple watercoloring and an even simpler 

sentiment from Papertrey Ink's: Larger than Life: Fall sentiments

Next up: Just us Girls #797 Moodboard from Carol:

Here's an enlargement:

Maybe you'll spot the elements I've included on my card - yes,

another much loved set from MFT: Fall Friends

Last but not least: another bird - this one was the first I created and posted

to Instagram.  Then I remembered not all of you would see it there - duh!

A lovely Spellbinders embossed panel made at Marcia's.

A white-on-white birdhouse from Concord & 9th,

and of course, this little lovely bird from Memory Box: Happy Dance Bird!

Sounds like you all like her very much!  Makes me do a happy dance!

=] Michele

Jingle Belles - Pink Christmas!

My mojo got a kick in the pants this morning when my friend Bonnie posted her darling card for the pink challenge at Jingle Belles!

By now you all know I do love pink at Christmastime!

Here's that joyful little Happy Dance Bird from MB again... in pink!

These papers from Scrapbook.com's Merry patterned collection had just

what I was looking for to create a fun scene for her... doesn't it look like she's

'skating' in for a landing?  My old favorite W&W die stitched them together.

Here are the inks I used to color her feathers! and another 'stamped at Marcia's' sentiment!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

=] Michele